Commitment Spotlight: '18 Nathaniel Peterson, LHP, Lakeville North
September 18, 2017
By Josh Threlkeld
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota
Prep Baseball Report works to provide the best coverage of prep baseball around the state. Through these efforts it has been great to watch Nate perform at our showcases and in different tournaments throughout the year. Nate is another in a phenomenal run of Minnesota kids continuing their baseball and academic careers at elite institutions. Oklahoma State is a top notch baseball school that will provide Nate with a great home to continue developing his character and his game both mentally and physically. Congrats Nate, wishing the best for the rest of your senior year and beyond!
PBR: Why did you choose the school you did?
When I met Coach Holliday, Walton, and Vilade at the baseball showcase, I felt welcomed and hit it off well with coaches. Also, I have a lot of family in Oklahoma that bleeds orange, and to pitch in front of them would be great privilege.
PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Mankato, NDSU, SDSU, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Pepperdine, U of M, Seattle U, Virgina Tech, UIC, CMU, and Cal State Northridge.
PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with him (Phone calls, on-campus visits, etc.)?
Ironically, I hadn’t talked to Oklahoma State at all prior of my commitment. I went to their showcase and pitched and met the coaches on day 2 and from there, I felt I made a great connection with the coaches, especially Walton, the pitching coach.
PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
Oklahoma State wasn’t even on my list unless you consider a dream list. Two weeks prior to the showcase my dad said to try the showcase to avoid the “what if” factor. After discussion, we drove to Stillwater and 2 days later, I committed.
PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
Coach Steve McGuiggan and Harvey Martin of MN Mash are the people I look up to as they represent the best of role models and character. These two coaches have guided me in improving my game and mentored me in the toughest of times. Words can’t express my appreciation to them. Also, to Justin Musil, my advisor. He was so critical in my recruiting process. Oh, can’t forget mom, dad, and my grandparents, on getting me to where I am at in my life.
PBR: What plans do you have in store for you in your freshman season at your new school?
Fill a piece of whatever team puzzle the coaches need and to provide an impact day 1 through hard work.
PBR: What advice would you give to others that are currently or will soon be going through the recruiting process?
Be patient and humble as it can be a grind and enjoy the visits, but make sure your choice is the right choice. Also, dreams can come true. Take note, don’t hesitate to go to showcases hosted by a school if you feel it is a fit or some place you can be in the next four years.
PBR: What goals do you and your high school team have for the upcoming seasons? What is a strong point (pitching, defense, offense) that you feel will help your team achieve that goal
Lakeville North is stacked with talent from top to bottom in all categories and combined with great coaches, how can one not feel that State is an achievable goal. Nonetheless, It will require a lot of hard work in all aspects of the game.
If you are interested in attending a PBR Event, click here!
Scouting Report
6/20/17- 5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting pitcher. #9 ranked player in MN 2018 class. Peterson has loose arm and pounds zone with 85-87 mph fastball that shows heavy arm-side run and jumps on hitter. Breaking has tight spin with 2/7 shape and is above avg. to both LH and RH hitters. Late sink and fade on changeup. Has been as high as 89 mph; Peterson should be a highly sought commodity to D1 schools across the country.
3/20/17- 5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. #16 ranked player in MN 2018 class. True ¾ slot. 85-87 mph throughout and touched 89 mph at the end. Repeated a difficult motion very well. Has a sort of pause at the top to let his leg go down and then out. Arm has easy strength and he controlled his fastball in the zone with some natural arm side run to it. Curveball was firm and up to 73mph, and he also featured a slider at 75-76 mph. There was not much differential in the two pitches, and the slider which is an above average, swing and miss pitch. Slider is firm and late breaking at the back leg of right-handers with tilt. 7.7 runner. Square stance, body load, rhythm in hands, hard line drive contact, mid/pull approach with flashes of pop in bat, 81 mph exit velocity. Above avg. arm, quick release, accurate to bag with carry, solid actions in field, 88 mph arm strength from outfield.
10/23/16- 5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. On mound; high leg kick, keeps front underneath knee, slight hitch and pause after separation, with extension and finish to plate. Clean arm action, ball jumps out of hand, with command of 83-85 mph fastball. Above avg. depth on hard breaking 1/7 curveball with tight rotation. Late fade and sink on changeup for strikes. 7.69 runner. Square stance, body load, loose hands, shows rhythm in swing, hard spray contact to pull side of field, 83 mph exit velocity. Confident fielder, shows appropriate footwork-routes-angles, soft glove, arm works well with accuracy. 84 mph arm from outfield. 79 mph arm across infield. Peterson, currently un-ranked, will make serious jump into 2018 rankings in MN.